Raiway books, a couple of good specialist stores.

[ben_issacs]

Foks, 

As one travels around Japan one sees plenty of book shops,, these generally have a good selection of model railway and full size railway magazines, but if one wants to look for such items as photo albums or books on certain lines, railways, rolling stock, one must search out the specialist book stores that have these items.

I've use two on my various visits to Japan.

One is Shosen Grande book store in north-east Tokyo.

A good place to visit, but how does one get there? 

From Tokyo station, take the north-bound Chuo Line Rapid (Orange cars) to Ochanomizu station.

This station is at a low level, so then take the stairs at the end away from Tokyo and emerge facing a wide street.

To the right is a bridge over the Kanda river, ignore this, turn left and walk down the street downhill, on the left hand side,  through an educational precinct, until one strikes a street intersection, with the cross street at an acute angle. 

This street is Yasukini Dori (Ave.), and by now one is is in an area of office buildings and shops.

There are several bookshops there, including one Shosen but this isn't the one you want.

Cross the intersection, right across the downhill street then across to the far side of Yasukini Dori.

From there, walk right along the left side of  Yasukini. which after about 100 yds. or so, bends to the left, continue walking, and the narrow, six story building of Shosen Grande , with its name in Roman letters on its front,  is on the corner of the first narrow side street off Yasukini.

The extensive railway section is on the sixth floor, yes there is a tiny lift.

The range of books is vast, of course they are largely in Japanese, but much of the info. therein can be worked out, and the photos, both of models and full size are worth looking at.

Also there is a section of DVDs, but one should check whether these are compatible with Western equipment, I have no clues on this subject.

One caveat, if one goes there in the early evening, the display areas are crowded with Japanese rail fans, and one must push in to get a look at the books.

Possibly during the day there would be less people there.

        The second book shop is in Kyoto, nearby Kyoto JR station.

Kyoto station has an underground passage way right across from one side to the other.

Go down to this passage way and walk along it away from the main city side, that is, if you are facing Tokyo, walk to the right.

At the end, one will come up to street level, here there is a bus loading area and a main road, and on the other side is the Avanti department store, again with its name in Roman letters on its front.

Go across the bus loading area and the street, and go into this store, and ask the information counter girls where is the book section. I can remember that it is at the back of the store, but cannot remember on which floor.

The Japanese for book is 'hon', so if English is not understood, the pronunciation of this word, or the flourishing of a book or magazine should get directions.

This book department is not as extensive as Shosen Grande, but when we were there, in the late afternoon, it only had one other person there, so there was plenty of time to look over it.

No doubt there are these specialist book stores in other big cities, but I have no knowledge of these. 

Regards, 

Bill, 

Melbourne.

 

 

 

 

 

[bikkuri bahn]

In Osaka, the Asahiya bookstore in Nanba City B2 level (below the Nankai terminal station)- selection and breadth equal or almost equal to Shosen Grande, but much more room to browse.  Bonus is DenDen Town is nearby.